Lamp



P. D. DAIL June 18, 1933 w LAMP Filed Nov. 14. 1980 vINVENTOR.`

PAUL D. D/l.

TZ'ORIVEYS United States Patent Ofi ice 3,0-94,288 Patented June 18,1963 3,094,288 LAMP Filed Nov. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 68,885 1 Claim. (Cl.240-51.11)

The present invention relates to lamp or lighting fixturcs and moreparticularly to the elongated type employing, for example, a fluorescentlamp.

The lighting fixture of the present invention includes an elongatedframe, one side of which is provided with a pro- Jection or projectionswith which the frame is supported and the other side provides .aplurality of elongated, substantially planar, in transversecross-section, and parallelly arranged light reflecting surfacesections. Preferably three such sections only are necessary. The centeror intermediate section has a light reflecting surface of selected valueand the outer or side sections have reflecting surfaces of greater valuethan the first mentioned reflecting surface, and -all of the lightreflecting surfaces face in the same direction and lie substantially inthe same plane.

The fixture also includes an elongated lamp, for example of thefluorescent type. This lamp is disposed parallelly of and preferablymidway of the elongated edges of and spaced from the first mentionedlight reflecting surface. An elongated translucent cover is provided forthe three reflecting surfaces and the lamp.

The advantages will be apparent from the following descripton, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated.

In the -drawingsz FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved lightingfixture;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 but on a largerscale;

FIG. 3 sectional view taken on line '3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the fixture is shown at 20which comprises a main frame 22 and -a lamp 24, and a translucent cover26. The frame may be supported in any suitable manner, but is hereinshown -as supported by clips one of which is shown at 28 and which inturn is carried 'by a Wire 30.

The main frame 22 includes an elongated central section 32, theelongated edges of which are shown at 34 and 36, and two parallellyarranged sections in the form of elongated strips 38 and 40. Thesestrips 38 and 40 are each provided with confronting mortises or grooves42 which receives the edges 34 and 36 of the central section 32. Thestrips 38 and 40 are secured to the central section 32 by rivet-s orscrews 44.

The under sides of the central section 32 and sections 38 and 40 areplanar to provide reflecting surfaces 46, 48 and 50, respectively, andall 'are arranged in substantially the same plane inasmuch as the metalforming these elements is thin. The opposite ends of the central section32 are each undercut as at 52 for receiving electrical couplings 54 and56. These couplings are each secured in place by a screw 58. The'couplings support an elongated lamp 60, for example of the fluorescenttype. 'Ihese couplings and likewise the lamp, are supported midway'between the ends 34 and 36 of the central coupling 32. Obviously thelamp 60' extends throughout substantially the full length of the mainframe.

Each of the sections 38 and 40 is provided with an open bottom groove 62adjacent the outer end thereof .and with a lip 64 at the extreme outerend thereof and below the groove 62. The lips 64 support the translucentcover 26, the cover having 'an inwardly extending poition 66 'whichrests upon the lip 64 and upwardly extending portions 68 which fitwithin the groove 62. The ends of the cover 26 are open |and are slidinto place, and these ends |are thereafter covered by a metallic strip70 which is provided with :an inwardly extending extension 72.

The central section 32 is provided with longitudinally extending andparallelly xarr-anged uprights 74 and 76 which are spaced from oneanother. Each of these uprights is provided with a downwardly facingshoulder 78. Each clip is provided with an upwardly faci-ng shoulder 80.The clip 28 is formed of resilient material, the shoulders 80 of whichare a'daptcd to be snapped over the shoulders 78 of the uprights 74 and76. The clip 28 is also provided with an upwardly extending ear v82having a hole therethrough, through which the wire 30 is threaded. Theuprights 74 and 76 are provided with confronting grooves 84 forreceiving a plate 86 which is wed'ged in position. The extension 72 ofthe cover 70 is fastened to this plate 86 by a screw 88.

The sections 32, 38 and 40 m-ay be formed of extruded material, as forexample aluminum.

The under sides of the sections or strips 32, 38 and 40 are finished sothat the reflecting surfaces 48 and 50 are of higher value than thereflecting surface 46. It has been discovered that by properlydifferentiating the reflecting value of the central reflector 46 withrespect to the outer reflecting surfaces 48 and 50, and by the use of atran-slucent covering, the illuminating value is substantially the samethroughout the entire under side of the cover 26, although only a singlelamp is employed. Many specifications for lighting fixtures andparticularly those used in schools, require that the illuminating valueof the entire under side of a cover be substantially the same, andheretofore it was deemed necessary to employ -a plurality of elongatedlamps, arranged in substantially the same pl-ane. By reason of thepresent invention the same result is achieved by employing a single lampof somewhat higher wattage. In this manner the cost of the electricalcouplings has been materially reduced; also one lamp of higher wattagevalue is far less expensive than two or more lamps of lesser 'wattagevalue.

As an example, the reflecting surface 46 of the central strip 32 may beformed by anodizing the aluminum while the reflecting surfaces 48 and 50of strips 38 and 40 are cover-ed with white enamel. Obviously any otherform of coatings of contrasting reflecting valeus may be applied to givethe results as achieved by the anodizin-g -and the coating with enamel.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and descn'bed constitutes apreferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adoptedfalling within the scope of the claim th-at follows.

I claim:

A lighting fixture comprising in combination:

(A) means forming an elongated frame;

(B) an elongated translucent cover extending longitudinally of saidframe, the major portion of said cover being planar in Shape;

(C) an elongated lamp carried by the frame longitudinally thereof anddisposed mid-Way of the sides of the frame and cover;

(D) and means for eifecting substantially const-ant illumination valuethroughout the entire pl'ana-r surface of the translucent covercomprising:

(1) An elongated vcentral section extending longitudinally of andsubstantially throughout the length of the frame `and cover, saidsection having -a light reflecting surface coufronting the elongatedlamp, said light reflecting surface being planar and extendingthroughout the length :and width of the section; and

(2) Two elongated sections, one on one side and the other on theopposite side of the central section and coextensive therewith, saidlatter two 'sections having planar light reflecting surfaces lying insubstantially the same plane as the light reflecting surface vof thecentral section, the light reflecting surfaces of the latter twosections 5 being inherently of greater light refiecting value, said lampbeing disposed between the cover and said light refiecting surfaces;

(E) means for attaching the three Sections to the frame.

(F) land means for attaching said elongated, translucent 10 cover tosaid two elongated sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSJohnson Mar. 1, 1927 Doane Dec. 8, 1942 Lenze et al. June 3, 1958 Bodianet al Dec. 16, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 29, 1927

